The European Karate Federation (EKF) and the European School Sport Federation (ESSF) have signed a collaboration agreement aimed at strengthening the presence of karate in school sport across Europe.
The agreement was signed in Belgrade, Serbia, in an event that had the participation of EKF President Antonio Espinós, and ESSF President Ivan Dujic, with EKF General Secretary Davor Cipek, and EKF Executive Committee member and President of the Serbian Karate Federation Slavoljub Piper also in attendance.
The European School Sport Federation brings together national school sport federations from across the continent with the mission of giving young athletes opportunities to grow, compete, and connect through sport. Through this new agreement, the EKF and ESSF aim to create clear pathways of collaboration that will further promote karate at the school level. The partnership will also allow karate to take part in ESSF events, expanding opportunities for young practitioners to compete and engage with the sport.
Speaking after the signing, EKF President Antonio Espinós highlighted the importance of the agreement for the future of the sport.
“Working with the European School Sport Federation is an important step for karate in Europe. This collaboration allows us to showcase the strength of karate among young people as Karate is one of the most popular and practised sports among youngsters. This agreement gives us the opportunity to expand these opportunities and reach even more students through school sport.”
(Top picture: From left to right: EKF Executive Committee member and President of the Serbian Karate Federation Slavoljub Piper, EKF General Secretary Davor Cipek, EKF President Antonio Espinós, ESSF President Ivan Dujic and Strahinja Stojković, President of Karate Federation of Belgrade and Deputy Minister.
